Skip to main content

Key Facts: Cambodia vs Syria Wages

Cambodia Minimum Wage
$0.88/hr
Syria Minimum Wage
£S1,850/mo ($16.46 USD)
Cambodia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
$300 /mo ($300 USD)
Syria Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
£S13,500 /mo ($120.13 USD)
Data Sources
Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MLVT) — Cambodia (2026-06-01), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Syria Report economic analyses (2026-02-25)

Cambodia flag Cambodia Syria flag Syria

Updated 2026-06-01

Cambodia flag Cambodia

Minimum Wage

$0.88 /hr

Avg. Gross Salary

$300 /mo

Syria flag Syria

Minimum Wage

£S1,850 /mo

$16.46 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

£S13,500 /mo

Min wage: -95% Cambodia vs Syria Avg. salary: +150% Cambodia vs Syria

The minimum wage in Cambodia is roughly 19 times lower than in Syria in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $300/mo in Cambodia versus $120/mo in Syria, a 2.5:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Cambodia is 1.7x that of Syria, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Cambodia has higher GDP per capita ($7,967 vs $4,772). Cambodia's unemployment rate is 0.3% compared to Syria's 13.6%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Cambodia and Syria
Metric Cambodia Syria
Minimum wage /hr $0.88
Minimum wage /mo $210 £S1,850 $16.46
Minimum wage /yr $2,520
Avg. gross salary /mo $300 /mo £S13,500 /mo $120.13
Avg. net salary /mo $285 /mo £S12,000 /mo $106.78
Median individual income /yr $1,800 /yr N/A/yr

Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Cambodia is higher.

Work Week

Cambodia

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Labour Law (1997) sets the standard workweek at 48 hours (8 hours/day, 6 days). Overtime is paid at 150% for daytime hours and 200% for nighttime/holiday hours. Maximum overtime is limited. Workers are entitled to 1.5 days off per week (Sunday plus Saturday afternoon). Garment workers typically work 6-day weeks with piece-rate bonuses.

Syria

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Labour Law No. 17 of 2010 set 48 hours/week as the standard. Friday is the weekly rest day. Enforcement is impossible across most of the country due to conflict. Government employees in Damascus and other major cities are the primary remaining formal workforce.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker in Cambodia earns 1781% less per hour in USD terms than one in Syria.

See this comparison from Syria's perspective: Syria vs Cambodia

Compare Cambodia with...

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Cambodia or Syria?

In Cambodia, the minimum wage is $0.88/hr. In Syria, it is £S1,850/mo ($16.46 USD). Syria has the higher rate by 1781% in USD terms. That nominal gap does not account for local prices; see the purchasing power comparison below for a cost-of-living-adjusted view. Workers in Cambodia may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.

How much more does the average worker earn in Cambodia compared to Syria?

The average gross salary in Cambodia is $300/mo, compared to £S13,500/mo ($120.13 USD) in Syria. In USD terms, workers in Cambodia earn approximately 150% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Cambodia and Syria is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Cambodia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Syria.

How do work hours compare between Cambodia and Syria?

Both Cambodia and Syria mandate a similar standard work week of 48 hours. When work hours are equal, the country with the higher minimum wage delivers proportionally higher weekly earnings. Standard work week rules set the baseline; actual hours worked often differ based on industry norms and individual employment contracts.

What is the cost of living difference between Cambodia and Syria?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Cambodia has the higher GDP per capita at $7,967, which is 1.7x that of Syria at $4,772. From Cambodia's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a higher economic level. A higher GDP per capita generally correlates with higher wages, higher consumer prices, and greater availability of goods and services. Workers moving between these two countries should expect significant differences in rent, food, and transportation costs.